Abbey England Contact Cement

[Jeff the Viking]

Hi folks, wanting to get some better adhesive for my projects and the Abbey store have three different ones that I'm trying to decide between.

125/A Contact Adhesive - "rubber solution in solvent base"

440 Contact Adhesive - no additional information

949 Neoprene Contact Adhesive - "neoprene contact adhesive"

Given Abbey's proclivities toward giving little to no information (they are a trade site after all) I turn to the fine folks of the leatherworker forum to educate me a little. Help?

[Birdman]

 They are usually most helpful if you give them a call.

 

Edited April 2, 2016 by Birdman

[Jeff the Viking]

Ah, should have said, also looking for any preferences out there. Abbey will be helpful I am quite sure but it's unfair to ask them which is best, they're all products they sell after all

[gmace99]

I use the 125/a when I make saddles. I Have never used their other glues. The 125/a is not super strong it holds the work well and allows me to take apart if I place my work wrong.

 

[Birdman]

7 hours ago, Jeff the Viking said:

Ah, should have said, also looking for any preferences out there. Abbey will be helpful I am quite sure but it's unfair to ask them which is best, they're all products they sell after all

Yes Jeff, but if you call them, and tell them what job you want the  glue to do, they will be able to tell you which of the products that they sell, is best for the job.

But as you suggest, there may be other sellers of other products that may be be better suited for your purpose. But Abbey cant give you that advice, only advice on their products.

Which is what you asked? 

[johnv474]

With a few minutes of research, it appears it works out this way:

 

1) 125 = rubber cement. Sticks to many materials, but without much strength. Used for holding pieces together temporarily before sewing. Easy to reposition pieces if needed.

 

2) 440 = all-purpose contact cement that sticks to just about anything, including "slick" stuff like PVC/vinyl. High strength, flexible, probably the most expensive of the three options, because of the ability to be used almost universally. Do not expect to be able to reposition once stuck. This would be strong enough to hold shoes together without sewing.

 

3) 949 = all-purpose contact cement, highly strong and flexible. Suitable for leather, wood, metal, just about anything EXCEPT plastic / vinyl / PVC.  This would be strong enough to hold shoes together without sewing, if there is no vinyl included. Do not expect to be able to reposition materials once stuck. Probably the best bang for the buck.

All three of these require good ventilation while being applied. The not-very-healthy solvents evaporate while they cure, and after that they are no problem.

I'm not certain I have these details exactly right. The above is based on the MSDS, reviewing data from the company that private labels these for Abbey, and experience with other adhesives in the marketplace.

I use a neoprene contact cement for nearly all projects, and a latex-based white glue (not listed above) for small craft type projects where ease of cleanup and nontoxic use takes priority over maximum strength.

[Matt S]

I use Renia 315 for general purposes. It works fine unless the leather is particularly greasy, and that can cause problems for most contact cements. It's water based so no nasty fumes. Available from Algeos.

Copydex can be used too, possibly the latex-type glue mentioned by johnv above. It smells a bit fishy as you apply it but after it dries is fine. Again water based so no fumes. Normally you apply it to one surface and press until dry but it works quite well as a contact cement if you apply to both surfaces and allow to dry before bringing the surfaces together. You can get it from the highstreet in a little bottle with a brush built into the lid which is nice. Only real problem is it gets a bit gummy if you have to stitch through it.